Seeming to relax and almost appear human again, the ghoul-woman straightens up and reaches- slowly- into her tunic and withdraws a broken wayfinder, holding it aloft for all of you to see. A gift from Ambrus Valsin on my Confirmation Day, years ago. I can draw a map on your paper there and take you to the one who has the katana. He will not give it freely though. You will probably have to take it from him. I will even accompany you to help."
Sleggar looks really suspiciously I dont know guys...something still feels off here
"Don't worry about that. If he will not hand it over, I will pry it from his hands." Orn pulled out his own wayfinder to compare it for a moment, before nodding. Putting his back, he motioned the others to back up before stepping close and pushing the paper and pencil towards the ghoul with his foot. "It would be best if you could draw us a map. You understand, yes? I mean... the part of you that was you? Having someone else along is risky."
'I trust her to help about as far as I could toss her... which isn't far. I don't know how much control she has left... but having a map would help. Have the rest of her knowledge on paper before we move forward. Then we can place her to proper rest. I should also get my hands on that wayfinder. I'm sure that would please the Major on our return.'
Maurit climbs down the tower, slow enough to not provoke an assault from the rest of Orn's teammates, takes up the quill in her shaky hands and begins to draw a crude map. After about five minutes, she is done and hands it to Orn. It looks as if a child drew it, but it definitely has boundaries and markers, like a map should. You also note that she has circled an area further up the cliff sides. "Another entrance, besides the front door. Short cave, takes you to a large empty room, good place for a camp."
Nori glanced at the map then down the path she indicated. She glanced at Sleggar, sharing the same reservations. Nori caught Sleggar's eye, intending to send a subtle message. She made some gestures, "A rest and regroup may be in order. We'll be better able to prepare for our adversary."
Sleggar blushes at Nori's gestures.
Was she trying to flirt? Now of all times?
Regardless Sleggar allowed his whip to re-take its spot on his hip and he followed carefully. That should do - this gives us a real advantage here
Orn looked down at the map, reaching out to pick it up and study it. It was crude... but readable, to be sure.
Orn looked down at the map, reaching out to pick it up and study it. It was crude... but readable, to be sure. He should "...excellent work. Your chief will be proud of you. I will see Master Valsin gets your wayfinder back as well..."
Orn rolled up the map before pocketing it, drawing his talon once more and conjuring a small ball of acid in his left hand. He didn't like doing this... but none of his magic could reverse this. At least, none that he had access to. "Thank you. I believe... we have all we need. May your snarl be safe on your arrival."
The Chelish knight looked over the map with Orn and saw and understood. This woman's mental faculties most be seriously impaired, but then the society was supposed to be inclusive of all sorts, so that's cool.
Sleggar gave Orn a serious look as he got aggressive. Sleggar was utterly confused, lacking all relevant knowledge and senses for figuring out what exactly was happening.
Orn what in the blue blazes is going on? You'll have to explain it to me some day.
Sleggar unleashes his whip again and tries to trip the apparently aggressive pathfinder ghoul? To protect Orn and Nori if nothing else.
Having fully believed that the party was going to allow her to help them, Maurit was caught unawares when Orn began his assault. While she was barely able to dodge the small ball of acid that sizzles against the rock near hear, the Flying Talon catches her in the leg, tearing off a piece of flesh. Sleggar's whip snaps a pebble from the ground that goes flying in her direction, but otherwise, doesn't faze her.
Nori was just as surprised at Orn's sudden attack, but had no qualms about sending the cursed creature back to death. She flanked the creature...
Her swing went wide, as the creature dodged other blows.
Nori takes advantage of the creature's distraction, but is unable to make it count. Using the rocks to vault from, she lands behind the ghoul and slashes out with her blade, coming within inches of Maurit's surprised face.
Odryk, realizing that his hunch was right, steps around with his rapier, directly across from Sleggar, and takes a stab at the once-Pathfinder-turned-ghoul. Unfortunately, even surrounded, she is effective at dodging strikes and so Odryk's thin blade isn't able to catch her.
"Then my hunger has truly won me over and so you will be my next feast!" Maurit lashes out at Nori with her claws as she attempts to bite at Odryk's arm.
Suddenly you notice Nori start to stiffen up as she feels the blood in her veins turn to deathly ice. Odryk pulls his hand back out of the ghoul's mouth, blood dripping from it.
"Let them be and face me! You don't need food, just sleep! Rest peacefully, Maurit Pathfinder!" Orn snarled as he conjured another ball of acid, hurling at the ghoul. He followed up with a flourishing swing of his Talon, hoping the display might distract the ghoul from the now stiffened Nori and injured Odryk.
Sleggar looks angry at himself.
He missed and as a direct result Nori was now in world of pain.
He once more whipped at the creatures feat trying to knock it over.
Fresh from her victory over Nori, Maurit momentarily forgets the little kobold behind her and is surprised at the sudden impact from the splash of acid and the tearing of a rib from her side as his Flying Talon rips a gash there. As she turns to face him, Sleggar's whip catches her ankle and sends her backwards and down.
"What the hell Orn? I thought you just asked us to trust this thing?" Odryk is uncomfortable with the quick change in events but after seeing Nori paralyzed he knows he can't back out now.
He steps up to the ghoul and thrusts, hoping to end whatever it it that just started.
Nori's muscles seized as the vile curse spread through her veins like fire. Her cries came out as only soft gurgles of pain.
Odryk's rapier goes clean through the ghoul's shoulder and she smiles up at him from the ground as he withdraws the blade from her dead flesh. "You will be my first meal!" Without bothering to stand back up, she viciously lashes out with her claws and teeth at him.
The ghoul rips into Odryk with a vengeance, though it appears she is tearing herself apart as well as the poor dwarf. Her flesh is hanging in tatters and you can see bits of it falling off as she moves. One more good hit should end her unlife.
ORN! This isn't going well..gotta finish this quickly. And gotta be groovy
He drops his whip and produces his wicked mace. Time to sleep you abomination!
As Maurit is about to tear into Odryk's throat, her head separates from her body with a wicked crunch. The dead form keels over and lies still next to Odryk. Not long after, Nori starts to feel her blood flowing again with pins and needles going up and down her scales.
Sleggar will bend over and, lacking medical skill, slap Nori Wake up, you lunk come on... come on please, I can't deal with losing anyone on these trips
Upon seeing that she's merely paralyzed he will move over to Odryk. Checking his possessions and seeing only acid the knight curses. Well this won't do you any good will it old friend. Maybe just once we can go out and not get our asses kicked huh?
Sleggar will look to Orn Can you help him?
Nori collapses as the ichor in her veins fades. She coughs and sputters. Her limbs slowly return to life and she stands shakily. Pressing a hand over the wicked slashes across her arm, she looks to Odryk, "I knew that thing was dangerous." The ninja looked to Orn, "We need better communication so we don't get surprised like that again."
Orn glared as the ghoul's head went flying from its body, watching it roll before putting his weapon away. Pulling his pack off, Orn dug around in his pack as he pulled out two bottles of red liquid. "I had hoped we wouldn't need these so soon..."
Nodding at Nori's statement, grateful to see her up and moving again, Orn walked over and handed Sleggar the bottles. "First, inhale. Then, exhale. Once you're calm, give him one of those bottles. If he doesn't wake, give him the second. And try not to spill any... it's all I could scrounge together." Finished with his instructions, the kobold moves to help Nori to her feet, if she can still stand.
"My apologies... but I had thought catching her off guard would leave her open to greater threat. Clearly, my threat alone was not enough. But I am grateful you waited. I wanted to get a map out of her before we put her to rest. But I would not have let her accompany us... I simply wanted to know what she had to say first."
Sleggar forcefeeds Odryk a potion.
Upon seeing no results he will forcefeed the second
Sleggar tries to calm down. This was a disaster but he needed to compose himself to be of use to the group.
Nori accepted Orn's assistance and regained her footing. She stared down at the body of the former pathfinder and sneered. A thought occurred to the ninja and she leaned down, searching the creature's bloodied and tattered clothes for anything useful.
Sleggar pours the two liquids down Odryk's throat and while his visible wounds heal, the dwarf still seems to be struggling with something inside. His eyes flutter open however and he takes in a sharp breath.
Nori rummages through the dead Pathfinder's things and finds the following : Qadiran short sword, a shortbow, a quiver of arrows, an opal in a small bag, a broken wayfinder , two vials of red liquid, and a vial of white liquid. Her leather armor is in poor condition and can not be salvaged.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Odryk sits up, though he's still in a lot of pain. He takes the potion he'd purchased before leaving, than eyes the other two vials, and sighs, realizing they had now used up almost all of their healing resources so early in the journey.
"Maybe next time I suggest taking time to collect supplies I won't get so many sidelong glances."
Still bruised from the combat Odryk stands up and brushes himself off.
"Hand me those vials, I can identify them."
"Glad you made it back to us," Nori's neutral tone didn't indicate whether that was sincere or sarcastic. She pocketed the wayfinder and opal before strapping on the short sword. She leaves the rest for the others to pick through, "Now that we've rid ourselves of that...lets get inside shall we?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Orn nods. "Fair enough. Sorry for not joining you in doing so this time. Apparently, I grabbed some that had been watered down... cheap bastard." Orn spies Nori pocketing the Wayfinder and holds out his claw. "Would you mind if I held onto the Wayfinder? I'd like to return it to the Major as proof of our effort... no doubt, it will make him easier to request things of him."
Looking at the scribbled map, Orn studied it a moment, before pointing in the direction of the other entrance the ghoul mentioned earlier. "Perhaps we should heed Maurit Pathfinder's advice and make a base of operations at the other entrance...."
Sleggar nods That's pretty sage advice....let's take a look at the map here and figure out how best to attack the situation
"The advice she gave was at least somewhat lucid," Nori glanced sideways at Orn, regarding him for a moment. After the pause, she tossed the compass at him, "If you insist..."
According to the map that Maurit scribbled out for you the main entrance leads to a short hallway that heads off to the left and right, one side going to a room that Maurit helpfully marked as Bone Place and the other splitting twice and leading to a room marked as Library and another she marked as Spiders. The secondary entrance she marked leads down a narrow cave into a room she marked as Big Empty Room. It seems to be connected to the Bone Place and another room designated as Statue.
The scale of the map isn't the best, but it will help navigate the ruined castle.
Sleggar will load up on Maurit's items as party loot.
He looks at Nori and feels a twinge of guilt Allow me to lead the way you three
He trudges down towards the Library.
Odryk quietly follows Sleggar, keeping his senses alert for anything that may attack them while they search the area.
Nori presses a swath of cloth against her wound and binds it before following along behind. She keeps an eye out for trouble.
Moonday, 15 Lamashan, 4707, 11:23am.
You carefully climb the pile of debris and garbage that makes a decent ramp towards the front entrance of the keep. The old ironbound door looms closed before you. As Sleggar attempts to open it to head towards where it says Library on the map, he finds that the door is stuck and refuses to open.
Attached to the north wall at this corridor junction is the relief carving of a giant face. The relief is that of a Qadiran man with a billowing beard. His eyes are closed, and his lips are parted, as if he were blowing out a flame. His lips frame a deep hole in the wall. On the man’s forehead is a single Kellish word, carved in a flowing script.
Sleggar gives the door a great big kick
Seeing Sleggar struggle with the door, Odryk decides to give kicking it a try as well, and somehow, despite his poor condition he manages to get it open. "You loosened it." He says, smiling at his companion.
He peers into the room and describes to his party members what he's looking at: Attached to the north wall at this corridor junction is the relief carving of a giant face. The relief is that of a Qadiran man with a billowing beard. His eyes are closed, and his lips are parted, as if he were blowing out a flame. His lips frame a deep hole in the wall. On the man’s forehead is a single Kellish word, carved in a flowing script.
He tries to decipher the words meaning but even with his linguistic studies he's unable to figure it out. He turns his attention to the carving to see if he can find anything unusual.
Sleg looks around the room before realizing he can't see s#+!.
So he produces a torch from his pack and lights it. He bumps around for a little bit, and by the time he finishes his esteemed colleague is already through.
Damned normal eyes.
Interesting carving, no? Sleggar uses the torche to illuminate them. They look almost spooky with the shadow bouncing off of them
Sleggar studies the character for a moment I think I recognize that symbol, definitely Kellid...let's see what does it mean....
Sleggar looks at the man's face. Clearly if this was an important historical figure he was terribly rendered.
As you study the carving, it seems the Kellish word must be an older script, as neither of you can decipher its meaning at the moment. As Sleggar lights his torch, the flickering light allows the colors of the worn blue and white mosaic tiles to appear before you. Some of them are still intact in the walls, but most are lying strewn about the floor. Nothing else stands out about the carved relief.
Otherwise, to the left the hallways cuts right and you can see into the room that Maurit marked as Bones, thought you don't see any of them to the extent of your vision. You see along the East wall, but towards the West is darkness at the moment. At the very edge of your vision along the East wall is a hallway that leads into the next room that Maurit marked as Big Empty Room.
To the right of you, the hallway goes up about 40 feet and ends. Halfway up the left side of the hallway, on the Northern side, there is a closed door. According to the map, it should open into the Library. On the Southern side, at the end, it opens into darkness. This is where Maurit said there were Spiders.
Sleggar shrugs and dutifully makes sure the Big Empty Room it both Big and Empty.
I mean it doesn't hurt to check right?
As Sleggar heads to the Big Empty Room, his torch illuminates the room marked Bones. It opens up into a 30 ft by 30 ft room. This large room is dank, and a strange draft flows through it carrying with it a foul odor. It causes your torch to flicker and nose to wrinkle. Rubble is strewn here and there, but you see no bones, A strange, slimy slick glistens down the western wall. Near the slick on the Northwest side, is a wooden door. In the Northeast corner in the opening that leads to the Big Empty Room. The only sound in this room is a faint drip echoing from deeper in the dungeon.
Sleggar continues along the eastern wall towards the Big Empty Room. As you reach the opening, your torchlight barely lights up the enormity of this room. Cracked and crumbling frescoes line the walls of this large empty room. The sections of the frescos not destroyed by the passing ages show Qadiran men engaged in battle. A rough stone tunnel leads off to the northwest, as if the ground simply cleft in two ages ago. A pile of bones rests just inside the passage. Your light also shows you a small hallway about ten feet from you in the eastern wall and in the northeast you think you can make out another opening. You hear nothing but the sound of water dripping from somewhere.
"Every culture has giant empty rooms." Odryk muses as joins Sleggar. He considers both the openings for a second and decides to inspect the eastern one, keeping his sense keen in case the room is less empty than is appears.
Sleggar decides to help Odryk search as best he can Must be a universal constant - the Hellknights use theirs as punishment for misbehaved children. What do the dwarves use them for?
Sleggar and Odryk look down the hallway as Orn and Nori keep vanguard behind them by the front door. The hallway leads down a ways and at the end of this corridor sits a sinister-looking fountain in a rounded alcove. A four-headed hydra, displayed in cross formation, protrudes from the middle of the rounded wall. The hydra’s heads all face directly down the hallway. Its top head’s mouth is firmly shut, its socketed eyes staring darkly down the corridor, and its head fin is flared and up. On that head fin, a single Kellish word is carved into the stone. Odryk notices that there is a faint glow coming from the script. The other three heads have toothy mouths open wide and reclined head fins; these obviously served as spouts for the fountain. Just below the mouths is a ceramic basin. The basin has been dry for many long centuries now. Though there is no water here, you still hear the sound of it dripping nearby.
To either side of the hallway is a door, one on the left only a few paces ahead and the other on the right a little farther along, just ahead of the fountain. Both doors are closed. The map the Maurit gave you marks this area as Fountain, the room to the left is marked with a question mark, the one on the right is marked Writing Room.